Brake beam safety guard structure



Jan. 18, 1938. uss 2,105,995 I BRAKE BEAM SAFETY GUARD STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 1, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 1 N mlim l H3" 119 Inn/enfor- Jan. 18, 1938. E. G. BussE BRAKE BEAM SAFETY GUARD STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 1, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w MW 5 0. e5 v m Id 5 Jan. 18, 1938. BUSSE 2,105,995

BRAKE BEAM SAFETY GUARD STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 1, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet s In Men 7or EdW/n 50.556.

J% g wg Patented Jan. 18, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRAKE BEAM SAFETY GUARD STRUCTURE Edwin G. Busse, Chicago, IlL, assiguor to Chicago Railway Equipment Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 1, 1935, Serial No. 34,153

14 Claims. (01. 188-210) This invention relates particularly to safety Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section taken guards for railway brake beams. on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

A type of brake beam safety guard previously Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure l but illusin use in railway trucks embodies a pair of rods trating a modification. 6 secured to adjacent brake beams near the brake Figure 4 is a detail vertical longitudinal sec- 5 heads and extending between the beams and over tion taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3. the intervening spring plank. The rods are pro- Figure 5 is a detail vertical transverse section vided with springs which normally urge the taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4. beams away from the wheel treads and function Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section taken as brake releases. on the line 6-6 of Figure 7 illustrating another 1 In case of injury to the brake hangers or hanger modification. pins, these rods engage the spring plank and Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section taken prevent the beams from falling to the track so on the line 1-1 of Figure 6. as to incapacitate the brakes and endanger the Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section taken train. Obviously, this type of safety guard canon the line 8-8 of Figure 9. 15 not be used in a truck which has no spring plank. Figure 9 is a vertical transverse section taken Also variations in the relative heights of the on the line 9-9 of Figure 8. brake beams and the spring plank present difll- Figures 10 and 12 are detail vertical longituculties. Where the spring plank extends above dinal sections of truck bolsters and illustrating the level of the beams, as may be the case, this other modifications.

type of safety guard has not been used. Figures 11 and 13 are detail side views show- Brake beam safety guard arms, ledges, and ing the structure in Figures 10 and 12, respecbrackets have been provided heretofore on truck tively. side frames, but the special safety guard and Figures 14 and 16 are vertical sections similar release rods referred to above are ordinarily 10- to Figures 4 and 6 and showing other forms of a cated too far above or too far inwardly from the invention.

these projections to properly cooperate there- Figures 15 and 17 are views of the structures with for safeguarding the beams. in Figures 14 and 16, respectively, but showing The main object of the present invention is to the guard rods adjusted differently. provide a safety guard of the general type de- Certain features illustrated in the present ap- 3o scribed above which is adapted to cooperate with plication are more fully disclosed and claimed in a truck part located in such a position that a a copending application Serial No. 34,129, filed guard rod and beam connection of this type, August 1, 1935 in the name of Robert B. Cottrell. constructed as in the past, will not function prop- Figures 1 and 2 show the lower part i of a erly therewith. railway truck side frame including horizontal Another object of the invention is to provide a bolster spring seating web 2. Extending transbrake beam safety guard of the general type deversely of the truck are the brake beam assemscribed above but which may be utilized in a blies including compression members 3 and tenspring-plankless truck. sion members 4 forming truss-type brake beams,

Another object is to reconstruct a safety guard and brake heads 5. Extending between the brake 4 of the above type so as to cooperate with a relabeams adjacent brake heads 5 are a pair of longitiveiy short bracket or ledge on the truck side tudinal members, one of which is shown at 6 frame. secured to the brake beams by means of brackets Another object is to prevent rotation of the I. Compressed between collar portions la of safety guard rod where this rod is provided with brackets I and discs 8 secured to the ends of mem- 45 a vertical or horizontal offset for cooperating bars 6 are coiled springs 9 which function as with a projection on the truck side frame. brake releases.

Still another object is to arrange a safety Extending inwardly from the lower member I guard rod of the above type so as to cooperate of each side frame as a continuationof web 2 with a truck bolster. is a ledge Iii with its inner extremity H offset up- 50 These objects and others hereafter appearing wardly to a. level immediately beneath the longiare attained substantially by the structures illustudinal member 6. Ledge lli terminates short trated in the accompanying drawings in whichof a line between the portions of the brake beam Figure 1 is a top view showing parts of a rail-- assemblies to which member 6 is secured, and the way truck embodying the invention. intermediate portion of this member is offset out- 5n wardly, as at l2, so as to extend immediately above the upwardly offset portion ii of bracket ID for cooperating therewith to safeguard the brake beams.

In case member 3 is dropped upon bracket Ill, the weight of the brake beam assemblies will tend to twist or rotate the-member. To prevent this, the member 6, and particularly the portion thereof extending through collar la, is formed ofnon-circular section and is closely embraced by a similarly shaped opening in the collar.

In order to permit the use of the oifset guard member 6 with a differently located side frame projection, or other truck part, the member may be rotated in the bracket collar la so as to vary the relative vertical and horizontal position of the intermediate portion of the member.

In Figures 3, 4, and 5, a spring plank I3 is provided extending between the lower parts of the side frames, one of which is indicated at l4. Longitudinal rod l5 extends beneath the beams and is secured thereto by means of brackets, each including a collar I3 and parts l1 and I3 embracing the compression and tension members i9 and 20, respectively. Rod I5 extends above spring plank I3 and is oifset upwardly, as at 2|,

to clear the flanges Ila thereof. In order to prevent rotation of the offset intermediate portion of rod IS, the part thereof extending through collar ['6 is squared, as shown at 22 in Figure 5. The rod l5 may be provided with a key, spline. or other similar element to secure the rod in collar l6.

The longitudinal safety guard rods may be offset upwardly, as shown where the spring plank is located substantially above the level of the beams, in a position to prevent the use of the ordinary straight rods, even though attached to the tops of the beams as in Figure 1. Theoifset rod l5 may also be used with other spring planks, or the clearance between the rod and underlying truck part may be varied, by rotating the rod in the collar Ii so that the offsets 2| extend horizontally, or downwardly, or at an angle.

In Figures 6 and 7, the longitudinal rod 23 is side frame web 23 supporting the end of the spring plank. Rod 23 is offset downwardly, as at 29, and the portion thereof embraced by bracket 24 is preferably squared, as in Figure 5, to prevent rotation of the rod. The guard rod may be rotated in its beam attaching brackets,

as in the previous form, to cooperate with adifferently located truck part.

In Figures 8 and 9, the rod 33 is of rectangular section throughout and is secured to the brake beam assemblies by means of brackets 3| formed integral with the brake heads 32. The rod is not directly secured to the beam compression and tension members 33 and 34 as in the previous forms.

The intermediate portion of rod 30 is offset upwardly, as at 35, and extends through openings 36 in the side walls of box-shaped bolster 31, it being understood that similar openings 36 are provided on each side of the bolster. Sumcient space is provided between rod 30 and the adjacent upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces of openings 36 to permit normal relative vertical movement of the bolster and brake beams due to compression and expansion of the bolster supporting springs diagrammatically indicated at 38 and resting upon bolster spring seating web 33. The rod 30 may be rotated, as in the previous forms.

In Figure 10, a longitudinal rod 43, corresponding to rod 30 in Figures 8 and 9, extends through recesses 41a in brackets 4| secured to and depending beneath bolster 42. In this form, the intermediate portion of rod 43 isoffset upwardly in order to cooperate with brackets 4i, and the rod may be rotated to vary the position of the offset portion thereof. 7

Each bracket 41 includes in its upper portion a lip or tongue 43 which is insertable in recess 44 in the side of the bolster to support the bracket, and withdrawal of these lips is prevented by a bar 45 extending across the bolster and through openings 44 and secured in place by keys 46 which overlap fingers 41 at the sides of tongues 43.

In Figures 12 and 13, rod 43, corresponding to rods 30 and 40, is safeguarded by means of brack-,

ets 49 having tongues 50 inserted in openings ii in the side walls of bolster 32. Brackets 43 are secured in position by means of a bolt 53 extending through and between the same beneath the bolster. Rod 43 passes through apertures 54 in brackets 49.

Figures 14 and 15 show a bracket 55 securedto a brake beam 56'and adjustably secured by bolt 51 to an arm 53 projecting from the collar 59 which embraces guard rod 63. Am 33 is shown in its lowest position so as to pass the proper distance above the flanges of spring plank 6|. Extra bolt holes 51a are provided in arm 53 for adjustment thereof.

Figure 15 shows the bracket arm 53 in its highest position so that the guard rod will pass the proper distance above spring plank 51 located higher than the spring plank 5| in Figure 14.

Figures 16 and 17 show a different type of ad-. justable beam connection having a portion 33 secured to the beam compression and tension members and an upstanding part 64 havinga pair of openings 65 and 63 for selectively receiving the guard rod 61. Figure 16 shows the rod 61 in the lower opening 65 so as to pass the proper distance above the low flange spring plank 63.

Figure 17 shows the guard rod extending through the higher bracket hole 66 so as to cooperate properly with a high flange spring plank and striking of objects between the rails than would be the case if straight rods were used as heretofore, necessitating a longer safeguarding bracket. Application of the invention permits the use of the particular type of safety guard even though a spring plank or other truck element is in such position as to interfere with a straight rod extending between the brake beams. In several of the forms, the same safety guard equipment can be used with widely varying cooperating truck parts.

The invention is not limited to the details illustrated but may be modified in various respects as will occur to those skilled in the art. and the exclusive use of all such modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a railway truck side frame member, including a spring seat and a bracket extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom, spaced brake beams, and an elongated member having portions secured to said brake beams and having another portion offset laterally of the truck from said first-mentioned portions and extending immediately above said bracket and cooperating therewith to safeguard said assembly.

2. In a railway truck, a brake beam assembly, a truck part provided with an upwardly facing element, and an .elongated member having a portion secured directly to said beam assembly and having another portion offset transversely of the axis of said first-mentioned portion and extending directly above said element for safeguarding said assembly against dropping to the rail, said brake beam assembly being provided with a noncircular device and said elongated member having a non-circular part secured in said beam assembly device so as to prevent rotation of said member and maintain said offset portion properly positioned relative to said element.

3. In a railway truck, side structure, a lateral projection on said structure terminating a short distance inwardly thereof, a brake beam assembly, and an elongated member secured to a part of said beam assembly spaced inwardly of said side structure a greater distance than the inner extremity of said projection, said member extending longitudinally of the truck from said assembly and then being offset outwardly and extending immediately above said projection for cooperating therewith to safeguard said assembly.

4. In a railway truck, side structure, a brake beam assembly, an elongated member secured to said assembly and extending longitudinally of the truck therefrom, and a projection on a part of said side structure located substantially beneath the level of said elongated member and extending upwardly to a, level immediately beneath said member, the portion of said member secured to said beam assembly being located substantially inwardly of the extremity of said projection and said member being offset outwardly and extending directly over said projection for safeguarding said assembly.

5. In a railway truck, a spring plank, a brake beam assembly, and an elongated member secured to said assembly and extending longitudinally of the truck therefrom, said member having a portion offset vertically from the part thereof secured to said assembly and extending immediately above said spring plank for safeguarding said assembly, there being means for holding said member on said assembly with said offset portion in posit-ion as described.

6. In a railway truck, side structures, a spring plank extending therebetween, brake beam assemblies including transverse beams and heads, and an elongated member secured directly to said assemblies and connecting the same, the portions of said elongated member secured to said assemblies being located substantially at the level of a part of said spring plank and the intermediate portion of said member being offset upwardly and extending immediately above said spring plank for safeguarding said assemblies, there being means for holding said member on said assembly with said offset portion in position as described.

7. In a railway truck, a transverse wall having a recess, a brake beam assembly at the side .of said wall, an elongated member secured to and extending longitudinally of the truck from said asembly, a bracket element extending beneath said member for safeguarding said assembly and with a lip insertable in said wall recess to support the element, and removable structure for preventing withdrawal of said lip from said recess.

8. The combination of elements specified in claim 7 in which the part of said elongated member cooperating with said bracket is vertically offset from the portion thereof secured to said assembly.

9. Means applicable to a railway truck bolster for safeguarding a railway brake beam assembly from dropping on the track comprising an elongated member for attachment to the assembly, a bracket for underlying said member and having a lip insertable in a recess in a wall of the bolster to support the bracket in position to underlie said elongated member, and means for detachably resisting withdrawal of said lip from said recess.

10. In combination, a brake beam assembly, a truck part, an elongated member extending directly above said truck part for safeguarding said assembly, and means securing said elongated member to said beam assembly, said means being adapted to vary the relation of said member to said assembly or truck part.

11. Structure as specified in claim 10 in which said elongated member is adjustable to a plurality of vertical positions relative to said beam assembly.

12. Structure as specified in claim 10 in which said elongated member has an offset portion spaced from said beam assembly, said member being rotatable to permit adjustment of said offset portion vertically and horizontally relative to said assembly.

13. In combination, a pair of spaced brake beam assemblies, an elongated member extending between said assemblies, and means securing said member to said assemblies, said member and means being constructed and arranged whereby the intermediate portion of said member may be secured in different positions relative to said beam assemblies to engage a truck part for safeguarding said assemblies.

14. In combination, a brake beam assembly, an elongated member extending transversely of the beam assembly, and means securing said member to said assembly, said member and means being constructed and arranged whereby the portion of said member spaced from said assembly may be secured in different positions relative to said assembly to engage a truck part for safeguarding said assembly.

, EDWIN G. BUSSE. 

